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Gidley to Make IMSA Return in Maserati GT4

Memo Gidley set for MRLS Continental Tire Challenge race in Maserati GT4…

Photo: Motorsport USA

Memo Gidley is set for his return to IMSA competition, having been confirmed as part of the lineup in a new Maserati GT4 entry in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

Gidley, who was sidelined for more than three years following his horrific accident in the 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona, will join ST class competitor Cavan O’Keefe and Mike McAleenan behind the wheel of the GS class Maserati, entered by Motorsport USA, for the Sept. 22-23 race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

It will mark the team’s Continental Tire Challenge debut, as part of a joint effort between the Washington state race track Ridge Motorports Park and Seattle-based Lowe Group Racing.

“Memo was one of my biggest inspirations in becoming a driver,” said team owner Jerold Lowe. “His story of being a grassroots driver and transitioning into a full time successful racer echoes my story.

“Both of us got into motorsports racing later in the game, have had our health struggles, and pushed through. He’s an inspiration.”

Gidley turned his first laps in the team’s Maserati during a two-day test at MRLS last month.

“It was my first time in the Maserati, and the team expected there to be some challenges with any new car shakedown, but being that Maserati has such a huge history in producing fast efficient cars, it was not surprising how turnkey the car was right out of the box,” he said.

“It was very easy to get comfortable and fast.”

The four-hour enduro is expected to mark Gidley’s second pro race in a span of two weeks, with the Californian set to make his racing comeback in the Pirelli World Challenge round at Sonoma Raceway the week prior.

O’Keefe said they’ll be using the MRLS round as a “test ground” for a potential full-season effort next year.

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

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